<p>I have never retired nor will I do so, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has told party leaders as her remarks at the Plenary Session on Saturday triggered speculation that she is quitting active politics.</p>.<p>This was disclosed by Congress functionary Alka Lamba on Sunday while speaking at the Plenary Session in the presence of Sonia.</p>.<p>Lamba said she had an opportunity to have a two-minute chat with Sonia on Saturday after her speech at the session.</p>.<p>"I had an opportunity to sit near you (Sonia). After your speech, the media was reporting that you have said that you have taken a decision to retire (from politics). I am happy to tell you that she told all of us that she has never retired nor she will do so," Lamba said as Sonia listened with a smile.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/congress-could-have-been-more-vocal-on-issues-like-bilkis-bano-cow-vigilantism-tharoor-calls-for-inclusivity-1195131.html" target="_blank">Congress could have been more vocal on issues like Bilkis Bano, cow vigilantism: Tharoor calls for inclusivity</a></strong></p>.<p>"Her blessings and guidance will be with us like she did in the last two decades. Thank you. I also urge the media not to spread this. Our strength (Sonia) is with us," Lamba added.</p>.<p>On Saturday, Sonia's remarks that she is concluding her "innings" with the Bharat Jodo Yatra triggered speculation about her future plans with a section interpreting as her retirement from politics. It was immediately played down by the party with senior leaders insisting that she was referring to her tenure as the party president.</p>.<p>During her speech, Sonia recalled her days in the party and said she has the honour of becoming the party president for the first time in 1998 and over these 25 years, the Congress has seen times of "high achievements and deep disappointments".</p>.<p>"The support, goodwill and understanding of each one of you and all the Congress party workers throughout the country has given us all strength. Our victories in 2004 and 2009 along with the able leadership of Dr Manmohan Singhji gave me personal satisfaction but what gratifies me most is that my innings could conclude with the Bharat Jodo Yatra," she said even as a section interpreted the remark as her announcement of retirement from active politics.</p>.<p>The 76-year-old leader has been in the background for some years due to health reasons and she was not initially willing to become interim party president when Rahul Gandhi resigned as party chief following the 2019 debacle. </p>
<p>I have never retired nor will I do so, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has told party leaders as her remarks at the Plenary Session on Saturday triggered speculation that she is quitting active politics.</p>.<p>This was disclosed by Congress functionary Alka Lamba on Sunday while speaking at the Plenary Session in the presence of Sonia.</p>.<p>Lamba said she had an opportunity to have a two-minute chat with Sonia on Saturday after her speech at the session.</p>.<p>"I had an opportunity to sit near you (Sonia). After your speech, the media was reporting that you have said that you have taken a decision to retire (from politics). I am happy to tell you that she told all of us that she has never retired nor she will do so," Lamba said as Sonia listened with a smile.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/congress-could-have-been-more-vocal-on-issues-like-bilkis-bano-cow-vigilantism-tharoor-calls-for-inclusivity-1195131.html" target="_blank">Congress could have been more vocal on issues like Bilkis Bano, cow vigilantism: Tharoor calls for inclusivity</a></strong></p>.<p>"Her blessings and guidance will be with us like she did in the last two decades. Thank you. I also urge the media not to spread this. Our strength (Sonia) is with us," Lamba added.</p>.<p>On Saturday, Sonia's remarks that she is concluding her "innings" with the Bharat Jodo Yatra triggered speculation about her future plans with a section interpreting as her retirement from politics. It was immediately played down by the party with senior leaders insisting that she was referring to her tenure as the party president.</p>.<p>During her speech, Sonia recalled her days in the party and said she has the honour of becoming the party president for the first time in 1998 and over these 25 years, the Congress has seen times of "high achievements and deep disappointments".</p>.<p>"The support, goodwill and understanding of each one of you and all the Congress party workers throughout the country has given us all strength. Our victories in 2004 and 2009 along with the able leadership of Dr Manmohan Singhji gave me personal satisfaction but what gratifies me most is that my innings could conclude with the Bharat Jodo Yatra," she said even as a section interpreted the remark as her announcement of retirement from active politics.</p>.<p>The 76-year-old leader has been in the background for some years due to health reasons and she was not initially willing to become interim party president when Rahul Gandhi resigned as party chief following the 2019 debacle. </p>
